Australia's encounters with the Middle East have historically been defined initially through its membership of the British Empire, later as a key Commonwealth player and more recently through Australia's close strategic relationship with the US. This book traces the nature of the Australia-Middle East relationship, from an insular 'White Australia' ideology through to the global impact of September 11, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the new and menacing terror threat that has arrived on its own doorstep. A comprehensive analysis of this complex relationship provides an essential basis for understanding past encounters, evaluating present policies and developing a framework for future interactions. The book seeks to draw together the various dimensions and themes of this relationship - from trade and migration, to Australia's increasing strategic interest and current military involvement in the region. 'Timely and well written...coherent and illuminating. While Australia's Middle East engagement has grown in importance and intensity, and has gone through different phases over the last five decades, there has been limited analysis of the engagement. This book goes a long way to fill the gap.' - Amin Saikal, Director of the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies (The Middle East Central Asia) and Professor of Political Science, Australian National University.